Sports

Lambert pleased with first half

Minutes after Friday's 5-3 loss in London, Soo Greyhounds head coach Denny Lambert gathered his charges and delivered his final pre-Christmas message.

After telling his players to enjoy their Christmas Break with friends and family, he stressed the importance of getting some rest and recharging their batteries.

"And then I told them I was going to turn it up when we get back after the break," Lambert recounted. "The whole league is going to turn it up a notch. Things are going to get even tougher and now is the time when they really have to focus."

Despite dropping their last two games, the Greyhounds entered the break with a 19-15-1-2 record and as many victories as they accumulated during the entire 2008-2009, Ontario Hockey League campaign.

They won seven straight to begin the season, but followed up by losing six in a row.

"But we learned to win again after that," said Lambert. "I'm happy with how the first half went. It was a great learning experience for a young team moving forward. We won a lot of hockey games and continued to grow."

Still, to have more success in the second portion of the season, which begins Dec. 29 in Sudbury, the Hounds coach said his players "must be willing to sacrifice everything. They have to eat right, get their rest and be completely focused on hockey."

Asked to briefly analyze his team's play by position, Lambert began by praising netminders Robin Lehner and Bryce O'Hagan.

Lehner posted a 2.56 goals against average and a .925 saves percentage in 23 games. O'Hagan saw action in 18 games and managed a 3.09 g.a.a. and a saves percentage of .892.

"Both have been exceptional," the coach said. "They've given us a chance to win every night they've played."

On defence, overager Jake Muzzin led the club in scoring with nine goals and 32 assists in 34 games.

Overager Michael Quesnele finished the first half fourth in points with 25, having scored six times and helped set up 19 others.

"Our veterans, Muzzin, Quesnele and (Dylan) King came in and picked up their games," Lambert said. "The younger guys have learned from them and improved. We've gotten a great effort from all of them- they've come together as a group."

Undoubtedly, the biggest surprise up front has been third-year centre Brett Thompson. The Sault native has a team-leading 20 goals, to go along with 15 assists in 37 games.

James Livingston has contributed 14 goals, one more than Vern Cooper and two more than Jordan Nolan, who has scored 12 times in just 20 games.

"Our forwards have provided work ethic and done a great job by committee providing offence for us," Lambert noted. "We've seen a consistent effort from that group all season."

The coach also expressed pride in his players, many of whom were part of last year's 19-45-2-2 finish, worst in the 20-team league.

"That's not an easy hole to dig out of," the coach said. "What we went through as a group last year was very tough. But the guys have responded."

But, Lambert again noted, the first 37 games of the 2009-2010 campaign constitute only a little more than half a season.

"Now we want to see the players ready to go when they return," he said. "We want to see them improve even more as a group, coming in focused on our goals and visions as individuals and as a team."

Following the Dec. 29 contest in Sudbury, the Hounds entertain the Wolves on New Year's Eve at the Essar Centre.